Are you using a high gain antenna and/or amplifier for better WiFi range? Is there particular equipment you'd recommend?I have a 9dBi omni-directional antenna mounted on my radar arch with 25ft of LMR400 cable running into the main cabin. The antenna cable is connected to a LinkSys WET11 wireless bridge. This is an 802.11b device that operates as a pass-thru client rather than a router. The ethernet interface is currently connected to the WAN port on a Netgear WGR614 which provides wireless service to the desktop computer and the laptops on-board.
The LinkSys box is what makes the connection to the available WiFi service. With the 9dBi antenna I have been able to connect to base stations with a clear line of sight up to about 1 mile from the boat. We used it extensively in the Abacos over a two month period roaming from Green Turtle to Little Harbor without ever being without a usable signal. I didn't go with a higher gain antenna as this one suited my needs, but the range can be increased to 5 or 6 miles using a 15dBi standard antenna and even more using amplification.
Running the connection from the LinkSys into the Netgear router provides NAT, DHCP and a firewall to the computers on-board. While in a marina I typically make the service available to neighboring boats who happen to find out that it's available, although I have started putting MAC address filtering in place to keep track of who is using it.
Do you use a particular WiFi service provider, or several, or are you finding free hotspots... or all of the above?
All of the above. There are some marina on the ICW that provide free service, something I find increases my change of spending some time there. Most seem to have signed up with one of the many service providers and offer daily, weekly or monthly rates - usually $8-10/day and $30-40/month. Since we move around fairly often we just go with whatever makes the most sense in each location. There are two primary providers in the Abacos - one providing better coverage in the northern areas and the other better in the southern reaches. The central islands are well covered by both. We're about ready to head north from Georgia and I expect to see many more marinas with coverage than we did coming south a 15 months ago. Unfortunately, there is no single provider offering service to many marinas, so one needs to subscribe to a new one in almost every location.
Has WiFi become an important means of communications for you? Is it a factor when you pick marinas or anchorages?
WiFi is our primary means of communication access. I still do occasional consulting jobs which require that I have high-speed internet access. Without wireless I would be severly restricted in where and when I could roam. Now my clients ask 'Where are you today?'. Every marina that we have spent time in over the last year has had good internet access and the Abacos are a great cruising area that is completely covered.
Finally, if you had a house fronting on an anchorage, would you consider leaving your home WiFi network open for the benefit of cruisers?
I certainly would make access available, although I can see a number of reasons why others should be concerned about doing so. Unless you know how to secure your own computers from access by the boating public it's probably better to let them find access elsewhere. We're a pretty responsible group of people, but there are exceptions out there.
Regards,
Park
